Spirituality – Mark Conner

The Lost Art of Meditation

Mark Conner — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 18:45:00 +0000

Mention the word 'meditation' today, and for many people, especially Christians, it will evoke images of someone sitting in a yoga pose with their eyes closed and endlessly chanting 'ohm'. Meditation tends to be associated with Buddhism, exotic Eastern cults, or new age philosophy. Yet the practice of meditation has strong historical roots for people … Continue reading The Lost Art of Meditation

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Threshold Times

Mark Conner — Mon, 04 May 2020 01:46:58 +0000

Good morning from Melbourne! It's getting a little cooler here as Autumn kicks in (or is it Winter already!?). I love this season, especially the beautiful autumn leaves everywhere. Walking each morning and evening in the nearby Edinburg Gardens with my lovely wife and our quirky pugalier is a highlight of my day. Today begins … Continue reading Threshold Times

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Kobe Bryant Among Those Killed in a Recent Helicopter Crash

Mark Conner — Sun, 02 Feb 2020 19:00:00 +0000

This time last Monday morning, I checked the news headlines on my phone. I read the top news release: "Kobe Bryant and his daughter killed in a helicopter crash." What a shock! I have been an avid basketball fan since I lived in the USA back in the 1970s. I have followed the National Basketball … Continue reading Kobe Bryant Among Those Killed in a Recent Helicopter Crash

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Trust the Slow Work of God

Mark Conner — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 18:00:34 +0000

I love this prayer I came across recently by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. It really spoke into my life experience and I hope it does to yours. May we truly be patient with the journey of our lives, trusting the slow work of God. Above all, trust in the slow work of God.We are quite … Continue reading Trust the Slow Work of God

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God’s Love for Me

Mark Conner — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 04:49:25 +0000

One of the most well-known Jesus stories is his interaction with a Samaritan woman at a well, as recorded in the Gospel of John. This woman had come to draw water from Jacob's well. She was alone and it was midday. This was probably due to her ostracisation from her local community due to her … Continue reading God’s Love for Me

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Praying

Mark Conner — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 06:14:57 +0000

I came across this short poem about prayer this week. I found it quite profound. It doesn’t have to bethe blue iris, it could beweeds in a vacant lot, or a fewsmall stones; justpay attention, then patcha few words together and don’t tryto make them elaborate, this isn’ta contest but the doorway intothanks, and a … Continue reading Praying

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A Map of Life’s Journey

Mark Conner — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 08:37:33 +0000

In a few months time I will be 58 years of age. As I grow older, I find myself reflecting more on my life. Where I've come from, where I've been, where and who I am now, and where I am going. I also observe other people in their own journey as they seek to … Continue reading A Map of Life’s Journey

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Seasons (Part 5)

Mark Conner — Sun, 26 May 2019 19:00:27 +0000

One final reflection ... (read Seasons Part 1 for background). Endings Make New Beginnings Possible Once Paul and his team had said their goodbyes, they were on their way … to Jerusalem then Rome (Acts 21:1), where he would spread the good news of Jesus even further, as well as speak to kings. Good days … Continue reading Seasons (Part 5)

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Seasons (Part 4)

Mark Conner — Sat, 25 May 2019 19:00:09 +0000

Here is my next reflection ... (read Seasons Part 1 for background). Endings Involve Grief As Paul left Ephesus, not only were their final words and prayers, there were also tearful and painful good-byes, knowing they would never to see each other again. In the Message Bible, Eugene Peterson translates this moment this way: "Then … Continue reading Seasons (Part 4)

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Seasons (Part 3)

Mark Conner — Fri, 24 May 2019 19:00:53 +0000

Here is my next reflection on Paul's transitioning from the city of Ephesus where he had spent the last three years of his life (read Seasons - Part 1). Endings Require Us to “Let Go” of the Past Moving on, required Paul to let go and the church at Ephesus to let him go too … Continue reading Seasons (Part 3)

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Seasons (Part 2)

Mark Conner — Thu, 23 May 2019 19:00:11 +0000

Here is my second reflection on Paul's life and the transition of seasons he was undergoing in leaving the city of Ephesus (read Seasons - Part 1). Seasons are Marked by Endings and Beginnings Paul felt an urgency that compelled him to leave Ephesus and go to Jerusalem, though he was completely in the dark … Continue reading Seasons (Part 2)

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Seasons (Part 1)

Mark Conner — Thu, 23 May 2019 02:48:06 +0000

I love Autumn! It is one of my favourite seasons of the year. The somewhat cooler days, the clear blue skies, and the glorious colours of the leaves. Change is in the air. The cycle of life is moving forward. Nicole and I moved back to Melbourne last May after 18 months of living in … Continue reading Seasons (Part 1)

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How’s Your Spiritual Journey?

Mark Conner — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 06:05:30 +0000

As we near the end of another year, it's a good time to pause and reflect on our lives. There are many metaphors and images through which to do so. One of those is through that of a journey. A journey usually has different sections, hills and valleys, twists and turns, and a few surprises … Continue reading How’s Your Spiritual Journey?

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NEW Book: “The Spiritual Journey – Understanding the Stages of Faith”

Mark Conner — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 18:00:02 +0000

In December last year, one of my goals for 2018 was to publish three books. Well, number three was released a few weeks ago. It's called The Spiritual Journey: Understanding the Stages of Faith. I am really excited about it as I believe this material will be of help to many people in their spiritual … Continue reading NEW Book: “The Spiritual Journey – Understanding the Stages of Faith”

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Navigating the Storms of Life

Mark Conner — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 06:00:42 +0000

Nahum 1:3. The LORD has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. NKJV

The book of Nahum is one of the 12 minor prophets found at the end of the Old Testament. Nahum lived in the seventh century BC during a time of great political upheaval due to the rise of the Assyrian Empire. His messages sought to encourage God’s people who were being oppressed by a seemingly invincible foe. The book opens with a song of praise to God for his power and justice. The spectacular manifestations of nature are symbolic of his power.

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